Acute respiratory distress associated with external jugular vein catheterization in the newborn.

We report on the acute onset of respiratory distress secondary to fluid accumulation in the chest within hours of placement of an external jugular venous line in a newborn. External jugular venous catheterization in the newborn is a procedure with potentially serious complications, and should be avoided unless the patient is monitored closely. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.